I have no idea what an FDD is. but the CD is internal in the laptop. I've tried system restore ... and I don't have an antivirus program on that computer because file sharing with it is a once in a lifetime thing (that obviously didn't go so well) ... if I had one, i wouldn't be having this problem would I??

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I've just tried to do that, but do you have any idea how I get to dos prompt? like I said, the computer turns on to a black screen with a bunch of symbols on it when I use the boot disk. What is FDisk? Do you know? Sorry for being so ignorant. This is FRUSTRATING! Thank you for your help.

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FDD = floppy disk drive. You mentioned that your external one was crashing the machine " I don't have an antivirus program" Then how did you determine that you have AntiCmos.A ? Fdisk is the partitioning tool, and is found on DOS bootdisks (including those for Win9x - - ME) - instructions are on the provided link, I just 'boiled them down' for you If your 'FDD' is working, then you should be able to boot from a known good (working) write-protected (the wee tab on the diskette) WinME floppy. If what you say is true, then your laptop's hard drive is infected, and will infect unprotected diskettes as well. Failing that, possibly you can boot from a bootable WinME CD *if* your CD drive is mechanically sound, as your current problem with it may only be occurring in Windows. You may need to adjust the boot order in the BIOS to reflect just what drive you hope to boot from first (Floppy or CD) If you get people asking the wrong questions, you don't have to worry about the answers

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Haha, no wonder you're confused about the antivirus. The FDD (thanks for the new word) is external. I plugged it in on this computer and ran a check on it and found that virus. (It makes sense too...) it's also on many of my backup disks from about 4 years ago to present, so it must have been on there for quite some time before I had the fdd plugged in when I restarted. I will try making a CD and booting from that. If I'm not wrong, when you use the boot disk, it should go to dos prompt and voila, you type in the command? ... That does NOT HAPPEN. like I said.. symbols. I rearanged the boot order, and still the same. Trying with a CD... cross your fingers :) btw I like your page on punctuation. I will endeavor to use more periods and less exclamation marks in the future. (oddly enough, we're trying to fix my husband's computer who uses it only for writing.. small world huh?)

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alriiiiiight. This is utterly rediculous. So I have tried the CD, and the same thing with the symbols happens. With the floppy, the computer now starts windows and then becomes an endless cycle of error messages wherein it says that it may be possible to continue, tries to and then crashes all over again until I "ctrl alt del" it out of its misery. I'm going to see if I can find another place for boot disks. If that doesn't work, I'm stumped and might as well get to sleep and go laptop shopping tomorow. Thanks for your help. I appreciate it*!* (I do have internal panic!!!!!)

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Ok - that's a pretty old bug (1994) you really don't see many boot sector virus these days - yes you will likely find most of your diskettes infected. With WinME, a DOS start is (normally) only possible from a floppy or CD bootdisk - usually pretty problem free, so there may be other issues here. I would suspect memory problems, but if you are able to (more or less) boot normally from the hard drive into Windows, that doesn't seem likely. The previously mentioned bootdisk site is a good source - I prefer to use the 'Custom, No Ramdrive' one for ME, but they all work. In case you were unaware, the files downloaded there need to be executed in order to create the diskette. Once created, flip the 'tab' on the floppy to expose the hole to write-protect it against infection. For bootable ISOs (CD images) try here Note that all of this is aimed at ridding your machine of the reported boot sector virus (which is a good idea) and is not likely to affect your original issue with the CD drive. Ah, punctuation - sure, I was rather taken with the explanation given on that site. If it persuades anyone on this forum towards more legible posts, I will be gratified immensely ; ) If you get people asking the wrong questions, you don't have to worry about the answers

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IT WORKED. Thank you so much. (here is a flying leap into your arms and a gratified hug) Oh Joy. I guess that I messed up the original boot disk. (*groans at the lost time and angst experienced by all*) Thanks so much for your time. You were great. oh yeah, and on top of it all my CD drive works. Imagine that!?! I'm off to do my Happy Dance

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I'm happy to hear that everything worked out Whenever a bootdisk doesn't, it's well worth trying another one (or two), especially when there's a boot infector present. The CD drive working is an added bonus - that's great - it might've been the bug after all (hard to be certain) If you get people asking the wrong questions, you don't have to worry about the answers

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I'm trying to follow this conversation. Are you saying that windows can be reinstalled from bootdisk.com by downloading it? without using a reinstall CD? My CD rom player is also not working and would like to reinstall windows.

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"I'm trying to follow this conversation." Well - keep trying - you're not there yet Short answer: No Slightly longer suggestion: Start a new post for best results If you get people asking the wrong questions, you don't have to worry about the answers

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